Postdoc Position for Microbial Physiologist Working on Environmental Biosensor Technology (4 Years) 961838

The Aarhus University Centre for Water Technology, Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University is looking for a postdoctoral researcher to work on the development and use of whole-cell based biosensors for environmental analysis and monitoring, including the analysis of aquatic environments such as wastewater, surface waters, and seawater. It is a four-year position with access to generous funding from the Poul Due Jensen Foundation for consumables and travel. The position is available from July 1, 2018, or as soon as possible thereafter.

Research group

The postdoctoral researcher will work in the sensor laboratory at Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University. Several new sensors have been developed in this laboratory including microsensors and microscale biosensors for N2O, CO2, NO3-, NO2-, CH4, volatile fatty acids, and nanomolar concentrations of O2. The sensors have mainly been used to elucidate microbial transformations in nature and man-made environments. The successful applicant is expected to optimize physiology and immobilization procedures for bacteria-based biosensors (example Appl. Environ. Microbiol. (2004)70: 6551-6558), and use such sensors to describe microbial metabolism in aquatic environments. The selected person will work in a dynamic international environment with frequent seminars and many interdisciplinary projects. The sensor laboratory is projected to have two professors, one assistant professor, one postdoc, and two technicians by the end of 2018. An additional postdoc is expected to start in 2019. The sensor laboratory is part of the Microbiology Section at the Department of Bioscience with a staff of about 60 persons, including PhD students.

Qualifications

The ideal candidate has a strong background in microbial physiology and an interest in the microbial ecology of wastewater treatment plants and other aquatic environments. Also, any previous experience in sensor technology will be advantageous. An open personality and willingness to collaborate will be absolutely necessary as the planned projects involves collaborations with researchers from different fields.

Place and conditions of employment

The place of employment is Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, Ny Munkegade 116, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark. There will be extensive collaboration with other partners in the Aarhus University Centre for Water Technology (WATEC) network including the Department of Engineering at AU. For information about WATEC, Department of Bioscience, and Aarhus University, please visit the websites: www.WATEC.au..dk, www.bios.au.dk, and www.au.dk.

For information about the Poul Due Jensen Foundation, please visit https://www.pdjf.dk/en/research/

Application procedure

Shortlisting is used. This means that after the deadline for applications – and with the assistance from the assessment committee chairman, and the appointment committee if necessary, – the head of department selects the candidates to be evaluated. All applicants will be notified whether or not their applications have been sent to an expert assessment committee for evaluation. The selected applicants will be informed about the composition of the committee, and each applicant is given the opportunity to comment on the part of the assessment that concerns him/her self. Once the recruitment process is completed a final letter of rejection is sent to the deselected applicants, including the main considerations emphasized during the selection process.

Formalities and salary range

Science and Technology refers to the Ministerial Order on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Danish Universities under the Danish Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation.

The application must be in English and include a curriculum vitae, degree certificate, a complete list of publications, a statement of future research plans and information about research activities including a description of how the candidate’s expertise could be beneficial for the activities in WATEC (1-2 pages), and up to three letters of recommendation. Guidelines for applicants can be found here.

Appointment shall be in accordance with the collective labour agreement between the Danish Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. Further information on qualification requirements and job content may be found in the Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff at Danish Universities. Salary depends on seniority as agreed between the Danish Ministry of Finance and the Confederation of Professional Associations.

All interested candidates are encouraged to apply, regardless of their personal background. Research activities will be evaluated in relation to actual research time. Thus, we encourage applicants to specify periods of leave without research activities, in order to be able to subtract these periods from the span of the scientific career during the evaluation of scientific productivity.

Aarhus University offers Relocation service to International researchers. You can read more about it here.